Do you accept insurance?
Yes, I accept most forms of insurance. I do not accept IHC. I will ask to have an out of network contract if your particular insurance is not a provider. I encourage you to call with questions. I’m happy to help make referrals to local therapists if needed.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash, credit cards, and checks made out to Red Cliff Counseling and Wellness.
How can counseling help me?
The first benefits that come to mind are 1) having an objective person available for feedback on a variety of issues and 2) the gift of making a commitment to your self-improvement (for at least one hour). I utilize a wide range of empirically based therapeutic strategies based on how each individual or couple seems to learn and process information the best. There is no magic in counseling. Most of the time, you have the answers already within you. It can be a matter of gaining insight and looking at alternative options to help you find joy and peace. The whole point of counseling is about healing, learning, and making your own choices that are true to your authentic self so you can find peace, joy, and healthy relationships.
If I’ve never been to counseling, what can I expect?
The first session is about you getting to understand your needs and concerns while I learn about your story, giving both of us an opportunity to develop a trusting relationship or to decide if perhaps another therapist or specialist is more suitable for your needs. I often say finding the right therapist is like the search for a winter coat: sometimes you have to try on a few before you find the right fit. If you have reservations about working with me, I always encourage you to tell me so. I am happy to refer you to another respected therapist. The point is always that you get the help you need. The first session is an assessment period for the therapist, so often our time is spent covering a wide range of questions to help me clearly deduce what is best needed and then, if you feel at ease with working with me, we discuss how often we should meet based on the types of goals you have.
Do you keep everything confidential?
Trust is the foundation to effective therapy and confidentiality is the path to creating the safe place needed to explore what is most important to you. There are limits to confidentiality though when there is a concern for your safety or the safety of another as well as limits regarding child/adult abuse as I am a mandatory reporter for abuse issues or should I receive a court order from a judge. The consent form helps clarify any limits to confidentiality and I would be happy to discuss this principal more fully with you at any time.
How often should I come in for counseling and how long will it last?
Usually the first session is when we discuss the pace of therapy but often it is good to start meeting weekly to develop consistency and trust. And to learn useful strategies to help improve overall well-being. Afterward, it is good practice to space visits out to every other week or monthly just to keep working on strategies. This allows me the opportunity to make sure these changes are working out well for you. Many will find it helpful to return to counseling for a brief “check-in” should a significant life event happen or just to get support from a trusted therapist who already knows your story and who can help you quickly get regrouped toward your life-long wellness pursuits.
How is couples or family counseling different from individual counseling?
Couples and family counseling is an excellent way to enhance relationships and gives you en vivo experiences to learn new ways of “really hearing” your loved ones. It can help you learn new strategies to validate and communicate with the people you care about in your life. It is a lovely way to acknowledge how important your relationships are. Meeting with your loved ones helps bring to light some of the hiccups that may be interfering with successful communication. Plus, you get to practice a new, healthy, creative, and respectful way of relating to the important people in your life.